2 p. l., 44 p. 23 cm

[A reply to Common sense] signed "Rationalis": p. [38]-44

"Extract from the second letter to the people of Pennsylvania; being that part of it which relates to independency. By a writer under the signature of Cato" (pseud of Rev. William Smith): p. [45]-47

cf. P.L. Ford, "The authorship of 'Plain truth'" (Penna. mag. of hist. & biog., v. 12, p. 421-424) as to the improbability of its having been written by certain hitherto accredited authors, Alexander Hamilton, Joseph Galloway, George Chalmers, or the Rev. Charles Inglis, with whose "True interest of America ... " (another reply to Common sense) it has sometimes been confused. Ford assigns "Plain truth" to Dr. William Smith, provost of the University of Pennsylvania, because of the extract by "Cato", confessedly his, finding additional evidence in "Oliver Ellsworth's [read Oliver Wolcott's] copy ... now in the Library of Congress", on the t.-p. of which "is noted in the handwriting of its former owner, 'By William Smith'" [read Doct. Smith of Phila.]

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